Adebayor maintains Man City's winning start

Portsmouth 0 Manchester City 1

Emmanuel Adebayor scored his third goal in as many Premier League matches to give Manchester City a 1-0 win at Portsmouth today, maintaining the club's perfect start to the season.

The Togo international headed in Gareth Barry's corner from close range in the 30th minute to earn City's second away win — as many as achieved all last season.

"My confidence is very high," Adebayor said. "(City) believed in my strength, they believed in my ability. At the moment I'm just working hard for the team and for the club.

"We have played three games and won three games so we're very happy. We want to keep on going and keep on enjoying ourselves on the pitch."

Adebayor joined City in July as part of owner Sheikh Mansour's $200 million spending-spree since May. It is paying off, with City now only three points behind league leaders Chelsea and Tottenham with a game in hand.

At Fratton Park, Portsmouth owner Sulaiman Al-Fahim was wearing a replica jersey and mixed among the fans days after completing his protracted takeover of the club.

Confusion in the Pompey penalty area could have seen City go in front before Adebayor's goal. Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, filling in for the injured David James, fumbled under pressure from City defender Joleon Lescott, but then saved at the feet of Micah Richards.

After a slick move that saw Carlos Tevez release City strike partner Craig Bellamy down the flank with a reverse ball through Niko Kranjcar's legs, Richards found the net but it was ruled out for offside.

"Clearly Micah was on side," City manager Mark Hughes said. "That is something we were a bit aggrieved about."

Richards limped off after an hour with his left leg hurting.

David Nugent had a late chance to equalize for Pompey, bringing in the ball down in the box but scuffing his shot with just Shay Given to beat.

"That would have been harsh on us if they had scored at the end," Hughes said. "Shay had to be on the mark."

Also Sunday, Everton rallied to beat Wigan 2-1 as Leighton Baines scored from a 90th-minute penalty against his former club.

Wigan had taken the lead in the 57th when Paul Scharner arrived unmarked on the far post to send a diving header from Charles N'Zogbia's cross past Tim Howard. But five minutes, later Louis Saha leveled for Everton when he headed in a corner from Baines.

On Saturday, Chelsea beat Burnley 3-0 and Tottenham defeated Birmingham 2-1 to ensure the London rivals remained tied with 12 points at the top of the standings. Defending champion Manchester United beat title-rival Arsenal 2-1.